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Re: QL Commercial Software Preservation
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2014 2:10 pm
by RWAP
I think that we have already preserved those - most of the Digital Precision software rights seem to have remained with the authors - certainly a lot of the authors have made their software freely available.
However, I guess each bit of software was agreed differently.
Does anyone have an email for Freddy Vaccha - he is probably still at 222 The Avenue....

Re: QL Commercial Software Preservation
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 8:08 am
by Dave
I have collected a range of titles from Tim. I will make a list of all of them, replace the pads and see what is readable. If any of it is missing from your library, I will supply an archival copy and manuals for preservation purposes.
Re: QL Commercial Software Preservation
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 5:57 pm
by XorA
What is the opinion on magazine preservation?
Obviously WoS and zx81stuff have links from every software/hardware item to every advert/article where it is mentioned.
I have some magazines here I could start on doing!
Re: QL Commercial Software Preservation
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 7:19 pm
by Dave
Magazine preservation: I have almost all QUANTA mags - I am sure many people do.
I would be happy to host scans of any other magazines if the quality is good.
Re: QL Commercial Software Preservation
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2014 9:04 pm
by RWAP
Quanta were supposed to be scanning in their magazines - the main problem was the print quality and font used in the early days which meant that they could not be processed with OCR and led to a large amount of mistakes.
It would have made more sense to concentrate their efforts on scanning later versions or even uploading the ones which have been sent out in PDF format already, but I have no idea whether there are any plans to do this now, or whether anyone is working on it.
As for other magazines, the problem is always copyright and where the magazine scans are hosted - ideally you need permission from Arcwind as they acquired the rights to QL World in the final days of the magazine (QL World presumably took over QL User).
So if someone wants to email arcwind - see
http://www.windsurf.co.uk/tag/arcwind-publishing/

Don't just leave all the tracking down and contacting copyright holders to me and Mr_Navigator - we also have day jobs you know!!
Re: QL Commercial Software Preservation
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 12:54 am
by swensont
I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I have a large number of copies of IQLR (International QL Report) that I am in the process of scanning. I plan on scanning some other US Sinclair publications, like Time Designs, Update, and various newsletters.
Re: QL Commercial Software Preservation
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:54 am
by Mr_Navigator
RWAP wrote:Quanta were supposed to be scanning in their magazines - the main problem was the print quality and font used in the early days which meant that they could not be processed with OCR and led to a large amount of mistakes.
It would have made more sense to concentrate their efforts on scanning later versions or even uploading the ones which have been sent out in PDF format already, but I have no idea whether there are any plans to do this now, or whether anyone is working on it.
As for other magazines, the problem is always copyright and where the magazine scans are hosted - ideally you need permission from Arcwind as they acquired the rights to QL World in the final days of the magazine (QL World presumably took over QL User).
So if someone wants to email arcwind - see
http://www.windsurf.co.uk/tag/arcwind-publishing/

Don't just leave all the tracking down and contacting copyright holders to me and Mr_Navigator - we also have day jobs you know!!
Actually I have emailed Arcwind several times and even had one email forwarded to the CEO (I was told) but there have not been any replies to any of them. It needs to be attempted from another source/person I think. Maybe somebody with nautical connections.
Re: QL Commercial Software Preservation
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 8:54 am
by vanpeebles
Re: QL Commercial Software Preservation
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 9:01 am
by RWAP
I have already preserved Quest the Adventure, including a picture of the cover I think - it may be worth at least emailing the seller to see if he will scan in the packaging for Quest and QL Art.
Not worth £50 in my opinion
Re: QL Commercial Software Preservation
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 9:24 am
by vanpeebles
No it does seem very steep!